On a recent morning at Mariners Point in Mission Bay, the crisp air was filled with laughter, shovels scraping against soil and the occasional cry of a seabird overhead.
Seasoned birdwatchers joined families with young children as more than 60 volunteers gathered for a cause close to their hearts: protecting the endangered California least tern.
For the 14th year in a row, the San Diego Bird Alliance and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E™) helped restore tern nesting grounds, transforming the shoreline into a sanctuary ready for the birds’ return.
It was an eventful day of immediate impact and a collective hope for the future of one of San Diego’s most vulnerable species.
“Least Terns are beautiful. They fly thousands of miles every year, and they are just returning to Mission Bay at this time of year. It’s one of the last places on Earth that this endangered bird nests,” said Andrew Meyer, director of conservation for the Bird Alliance. “They are completely dependent on managed landscapes now that Mission Bay has been so altered, and volunteer-powered habitat restoration work like what we partner on with SDG&E is the only thing keeping them successful in San Diego.” The California least tern, a small seabird listed as endangered since 1970, uses Mariners Point as a key nesting site. Volunteers recently spent a day clearing invasive habitat, removing waste and preparing the nesting grounds to ensure a safe environment for the terns’ upcoming breeding season.
After the site was vandalized in 2024, SDG&E donated a new sign to replace the damaged one, ensuring that visitors can continue learning about the importance of protecting the fragile ecosystem.
The annual habitat restoration event represents one of the many causes supported by SDG&E employees through their time, talent and treasure. In 2025, SDG&E volunteers provided more than 15,000 hours of service to local communities.
As the nesting season approaches, the restored habitat is a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective effort of those who care deeply about San Diego’s natural heritage and environmental preservation. And while the California least terns may not send thank you cards, their return to a cleaner, safer home is all the gratitude these volunteers need.
Learn more about SDG&E in the community at sdge.com/community.
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